In a closely contested matchup, Utah Valley edged out UT Arlington 66-54, securing a 12-point victory. The Wolverines (Utah Valley) capitalized on a strong second half, outscoring the Mavericks (UT Arlington) 39-22. The outcome was ultimately decided by a handful of possessions, as the Wolverines' defense held firm to seal the win.
Despite being the higher-ranked team, UT Arlington (NET #154) struggled to keep pace with the Wolverines' (NET #84) offense, which was led by a balanced scoring attack. The Mavericks' offense, which had been strong in the first half, stalled in the second, allowing Utah Valley to pull away and secure the victory.
Jackson Holcombe led Utah Valley's charge with a well-rounded performance, contributing 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. His shooting percentages were respectable, making 8 of 17 field goal attempts and 3 of 7 free throw attempts. The senior forward also demonstrated his defensive prowess, blocking 2 shots and providing a presence in the paint.
Isaac Davis and Trevan Leonhardt also played crucial roles in the victory. Davis scored 14 points on 6 of 8 field goal attempts, displaying a high level of efficiency from the field. Leonhardt, meanwhile, chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds, although his shooting percentage was somewhat inconsistent, making 4 of 16 field goal attempts. Despite this, he still managed to contribute to the team's rebounding efforts and provide a spark on offense.
Cash Chavis's shooting was a highlight for UT Arlington, as he connected on four of nine field goal attempts and hit two of three three-pointers. However, he struggled at the free throw line, converting only three of six attempts, which hindered his overall impact. Despite his scoring efforts, Chavis's supporting statistics, including three rebounds and three assists, were not enough to sway the outcome in UT Arlington's favor.
Miles Goodman's scoring average of seven points was below his team's season average, and his lack of assists was a notable contrast to his teammates. His shooting from the field was respectable, but his struggles at the free throw line, where he made only one of two attempts, further limited his contribution to the game. Goodman's performance was overshadowed by Utah Valley's defense, which effectively neutralized his scoring opportunities.
In a stark departure from his season averages, UT Arlington's Raysean Seamster struggled to find his footing on offense, scoring just 4 points on 1-6 shooting from the field and 0-2 from beyond the arc, a far cry from his typical 12.5 points per game. Meanwhile, his usually reliable rebounding and playmaking skills were also noticeably absent, as he grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out only 1 assist, a significant drop from his averages of 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Despite the slight uptick in blocks, Seamster's overall performance fell short of expectations, as he appeared to be struggling to make an impact in the paint and on the glass.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 7.5-point Utah Valley victory held up, as the Wolverines ultimately claimed a 12-point win over UT Arlington. However, the margin of victory was greater than anticipated, with Utah Valley's triumph coming by a wider margin than initially forecast. The disparity between the actual and predicted outcome highlights the importance of Utah Valley's dominance in the paint, which proved to be the decisive factor in the game.
Utah Valley's overwhelming advantage in rebounding rate, coupled with UT Arlington's struggles on both ends of the floor, were the primary drivers of the outcome. Utah Valley's 46.2% rebound rate was a significant departure from their season average, and it allowed them to secure crucial second-chance opportunities that proved pivotal in the game. Meanwhile, UT Arlington's poor shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, and their struggles to secure their own rebounds, left them struggling to keep pace with the Wolverines' relentless attack. These factors, more than any other, ultimately decided the outcome of the contest in favor of Utah Valley.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. Utah Valley's victory in a Quad 3 matchup, coupled with its existing 0-2 record against Quad 1 opponents and 0-1 mark against Quad 2 foes, likely solidifies its status as a low-to-mid-major bubble team. A NET ranking of #84 and a 20-7 overall record may not be enough to secure a high seed, but it should keep Utah Valley in contention for a 12-seed or higher. Conversely, UT Arlington's loss in a Quad 3 game, combined with its 0-2 record against Quad 1 opponents and 1-2 mark against Quad 2 foes, may put its tournament hopes in jeopardy, potentially relegating it to a 15-seed or lower. With its NET ranking now at #154 and a 15-12 overall record, UT Arlington will need to close the season strongly to stay in the conversation.